The Forest Park Southeast Development Corporation is reducing staff and considering other cost-saving moves to improve the organization’s financial picture in 2009. The Board of Directors discussed the actions at its January meeting.
Executive Director Irving Blue, whose contract expires at the end of March, will not be replaced in 2009. The corporation will also eliminate the position of property manager. Bookkeeper Jackie Roberson will stay on to manage the office.
According to Board President Phil Minden, the cuts are painful but necessary in order to make ends meet in difficult financial times. The development corporation’s income sources have been drying up over the past couple years. The organization previously relied on fees from new development projects and property management income in addition to grants from the Community Development Administration and other government entities.
The Board is looking into other ways to reduce costs, including possibly renting out the second floor of its office and seeking a grant for improvements to one of the corporation’s rental properties.
Board President Phil Minden and Treasurer Amrit Gill will help steer the corporation through the end of the year. The Board of Directors, Development Committee, Infrastructure Committee and Programming Committee will continue to meet and conduct business. The Board hopes to hire a new executive director in 2010.
At the February Board meeting, Saundra Moss, Megan Phillips and Amrit Gill were named to the nominating committee. The committee will identify potential board candidates to fill the positions of Phil Minden and Megan Phillips, whose terms expired at the end of 2008. The Board will vote on the candidates at the next meeting on Feb. 23.
The Board also discussed personnel, legal and real estate matters.
FPSEDC Board President's Letter
Forest Park Southeast Development Corporation Board Meeting
6 p.m. Jan. 29, 2009
FPSEDC, 4471 Arco
Board members present: Phil Minden, Amrit Gill, Daniel Corbin, Saundra Moss, Megan Phillips, John Wright
Others attending: Luke Reven, Dan McGuire, Kristin Rapinac